Issue 1 Term I, 2012

NEWSLETTER Kinder First Day Year 6 Progression Dinner

Headmaster’s Message Chaplain’s Message First day of Kindergarten

Issue 1 Term I, 2012

Academic • Christian • Caring

Head of Senior School Head of Junior School

A Mix of Emotions I wish to extend my best wishes to all members of the TIGS family for 2012.

We welcome many new students starting their TIGS journey and hope that their time at TIGS will be enriching. A reception welcoming new parents will be held on Friday 17 February starting at 6.00pm. This will be an opportunity to meet the teachers that will be working in partnership with parents over the coming years. A formal invitation will be received shortly.

This year we welcome the following new teachers to our school: Rev Mark Grieve - Assistant Chaplain Ms Tomoko Shiine - Teacher (Japanese) (P/T) Ms Jane McIntosh - Teacher (Performing Arts)(P/T) Ms Di Goodman - Teacher (Creative Arts) Ms Suzanne Wynn-Jones - Teacher (Junior School) Mrs Nevenka Radicevic - Teacher (Junior School) Ms Bronwyn Cross - Teacher (Mathematics) Mr James Edgerton - Outdoor Education Coordinator We are privileged to have such qualified and capable staff joining our school and look forward to celebrating their achievements with our students.

A number of staff have also been appointed to new roles: Mrs Moira Jefferson – Director of Curriculum and Enrolments Ms Melina Sangster – Director of Teaching and Learning Mrs Kath McMahon – Acting Early Stage 1 Coordinator Mr Brett Ferguson – Dean of Year 7 Ms Renae Zink – Dean of Year 8 Ms Cassie James – Coligan House Patron Mrs Allison Collins – Foundation and Publicity Assistant

Stephen Kinsella Headmaster

We were thrilled with the performance of our students in public examinations in the 2011 academic year. Results in NAPLAN tests and the School Certificate were all well above state average and reflect the hard work of our students and the expertise of our staff.

The results of our HSC students were particularly noteworthy and should be a source of encouragement to students in younger year groups wondering what the future holds for them. A summary of our HSC achievements is provided on the website.

At the Senior School assembly this week I reminded students of the importance of making the most of the opportunities that the School provides. Academic success is just one dimension of the TIGS experience and an offer of a place at university, while likely, is not guaranteed. 90% of students in Year 12, 2011, were offered a place in a university course of their choice which is a wonderful achievement. However, it still requires effort by each student to achieve these offers and students should be establishing good study habits and be striving to master skills and techniques many years before they sit for the HSC. We were also thrilled that over 60% of last year’s graduates were offered a place at university before they sat for the HSC. The offers were made on the basis of demonstrated academic achievement, performance at interview and the TIGS reputation. Students that demonstrate involvement in the many co-curricular and extra curricular experiences offered at the School are convincing the universities that they are well-rounded and balanced human beings likely to succeed in further study.

It is a wonderful feeling for a student in the final weeks of preparation for the HSC to know that they already have a place at university.

The transformation of the Library to a 21st Century learning space is on schedule and should be ready for Term II. In conjunction with this project, students in the Senior School are now required to bring their own personal Information and Communication Technology (ICT) devices to access the School’s wireless network. As the availability of ICT in the classroom progresses students will increasingly make use of ICT in their learning. However, the School will not allow technology to become the focus of learning. We have no intention of allowing technology to compromise the good teaching and learning delivered by our teachers. We look forward to the enhancement of student outcomes through the judicious use of the opportunities for improved learning that ICT provide.

The start of an academic year is a good time to remind ourselves of the values and traditions that have underpinned the achievements of the School since it opened its doors on 3 February 1959. Our Statement of Mission states: “The achievement of academic excellence in a caring environment that is founded on Christian belief and behaviour, so that students are equipped to act with wisdom, compassion and justice as faithful stewards of our world.”

The full Statement of Mission and Values is worth reading again as it reminds us of what is at the heart of a TIGS education.

It can be found by clicking here.

I wish all members of the TIGS community a successful and fulfilling 2012.

Chaplain’s Message

A Reasonable Faith

There is a fascinating series of exchanges in Acts chapters 24-26 between the apostle Paul and various Roman rulers in first century Judaea, namely Felix, Festus and Agrippa. None of these Roman rulers is fully convinced by Paul’s witness to Jesus. The writer of Acts suggests that was because their political interests ran deeper than their spiritual concerns (see Acts 24.27). But, still, they did like to listen to Paul.

At one point in his exchange with Festus Paul was charged by Festus with being out of his mind.

Anyone who regularly commends Jesus to others will know well that charge! I like Paul’s response: “I am not insane, most excellent Festus … What I am saying is true and reasonable. The king is familiar with these things, and I can speak freely to him. I am convinced that none of this has escaped his notice, because it was not done in a corner.” (Acts 26.25-26) I love how Paul notes that the life, death and resurrection of Jesus “was not done in a corner”. God worked salvation for us in Jesus openly, publicly, before the eyes of many. Hence, when Paul bears witness to Jesus he bears witness to real historical events which God did publicly in the world.

Because God worked salvation for us through Jesus in such a public manner Paul says to Festus that his claims about Jesus are “reasonable”. There are significant evidences to support faith in Jesus.

Rev James Rogers Chaplain

This is an important exchange for us to consider when we come to understand the biblical portrait of faith. Increasingly faith is thought to involve a leap in the dark. There is fact and there is faith and there is little if any crossover between the two. The Bible does not endorse this view at all. Faith as the Bible sees it is persuasion by the facts. Faith is the acceptance of that which the evidence points toward. Faith is reasonable belief. If faith involved a leap into the unknown Paul could hardly suggest that what he was saying about Jesus was “true and reasonable”. But he does.

Our school is built on the foundation of the Bible’s testimony to Jesus as the one in whom is hidden all of the treasures of wisdom and understanding. I hope you can appreciate that this is not a fanciful foundation. Our faith in Jesus is reasonable at so many levels. Because of this we ought never shy away from our mission statement which says we aim to achieve academic excellence in a caring environment that is founded on Christian belief and behaviour.

Rev James Rogers Chaplain

Senior School

Term I is always busy and productive academically. As a new year begins enthusiasm is high and students have settled in well, despite the rain. Co-curricular activities have begun and there are Camps, as well as fiercely contested House Competitions in Swimming, Cross Country and rehearsals for the famous Music, Dance and Drama Competition are already well underway.

Add to the list Swimming Carnivals, Summer Sports, Production rehearsals, and a visit from our Japanese sister school, Sapporo Nichida High School. Year 12 are well progressed in their HSC studies and have their Half Yearly Exams in Weeks 6 and 7. Whew!

If your child isn’t involved in any co-curricular activities this Term have a look, with them, at the list on page 10 of their Diary. There should be something for everyone. If there isn’t then please let me know. And remember that there is a late bus, Monday to Thursday, going North and one going South to enable students to access after school activities more easily.

Each Year Group has a specific commitment to Service whether it be within the school community, in our local community or beyond. This is an important aspect of our Mission and Values and it is something that our students embrace wholeheartedly. It has grown and developed over the years as students have claimed ownership and taken on greater leadership roles. As the year progresses you will probably hear more about your child’s charity and the commitment which their year group will take on. We do exercise a degree of control over individual students wishing to fundraise at school for other worthy causes, as you can appreciate there are so many and each so worthy that there has to be some gate-keeping or you and they would be swamped by emotional appeals on a daily basis.

And one request, please help your child wear his or her uniform correctly both here at school and when they are in the community. Each TIGS student is a walking, talking example of our commitment to excellence. Please assist them in taking this responsibility seriously.

Monica Watt

Deputy Headmaster and Head of Senior School

So, it has been a good start to a year which promises much for your children. Welcome back!

Mrs Monica Watt Deputy Head and Head of Senior School

Congratulations Ethan Butson who was this week named the Young Scientist of the Year in the National BHP Billiton Science Competition!

Junior School

Jargon Buster!

Essential agreements, pedagogy, unit of inquiry, essential understandings, concepts, attributes and attitudes. Teachers and your children use a lot of technical language to describe the learning that happens each day in the Junior School from Pre Prep through to Year 6. Our world is more complex and the task of equipping children to be successful in it, is challenging and ever-changing.

The teachers in the Junior School are diverse in their skills, personalities and interests. They are however all very highly trained ‘pedagogs’ that is, they are skilled in the science of learning, how to arrange an environment for a group and for individuals so that each can learn. They are tasked with the duty of building skills, knowledge and understandings across the wide variety of life and learning. What a task! It is a task shared with parents and the broader community, but one which academically rests largely with the Junior School teacher.

Judi Nealy

Head of Junior School

A shared endeavour requires a shared vocabulary, so it is crucial that parents, teachers and students all understand the terminology we are using.

Essential agreements are agreements that are made between community members. They are made collaboratively and all members agree to uphold them.

Unit of inquiry - The transdisciplinary unit of learning. Each grade from Kinder to Year 6 covers six transdisciplinary units per year.

Program of inquiry the whole school scope and sequence for the units of inquiry P–6

Upcoming Events:

Parents Understanding Asia Literacy Project This unique learning opportunity is available to parents in our school.

Registrations are open inviting parents from around Australia to participate in Parents Understanding Asia Literacy: Building demand for Asian languages and studies. The 2-day professional learning program is being conducted for clusters of schools across Australia in Semester 1 2012 Southern Sydney - 7, 9 or 12 March Program aim: to build parents’ understanding of the importance of learning about Asia and Asian languages to increase career and life opportunities for their children.

Information and registrations are available at: http://www.pual.org.au.

Cybersafety parent training and information session - Monday 26 March Susan McLean is the speaker for this must see event.

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Dates for your diary

Thursday 16 February – Junior School Captains Induction Assembly Friday 17 February – New parents Evening

Canteen Corner

Please check the TIGS Website for our menu. We would welcome any new volunteers at the Canteen. Forms are available on the School Website.

Save time and order online using FlexiSchools Go to www.flexischools.com.au and click “Register Now” in the Login Box. Then enter your student’s name, school and class, and add funds (say $50) into a pre-paid account. You can log into the website at any time to place orders, up until 9.00am on the day of the order. As purchases are made, the funds are taken from your pre-paid account. The account can be topped up again in the same way, or set to automatically top-up via credit card when the balance falls below a pre-set minimum.

Each order is sent automatically to the kitchen, where an easy-to-read label is produced with the student’s name, class and order details.

Monday 13 Feb Catherine Kirby Help Needed

Tuesday 14 Feb Rose Dragutinovich Help Needed

Wednesday 15 Feb Marie McCorquodale Help Needed

Thursday 16 Feb Snr School Swimming Carnival

Friday 17 Feb Bronwyn Marvell Help Needed New Parents Eventing

English As different English classes study different texts suited to their different skills and interests, the English department asks students to purchase their texts at the beginning rather than the end of each year. This allows time for finalisation of class lists. As a result, our bookseller will be coming to the School on Wednesday of Week 3 (February 15) at which time students will have the opportunity to buy their texts directly. An order form indicating texts required for each class will be circulated to students soon.

Families may of course choose to purchase their texts elsewhere or use the texts of older siblings. It is an expectation however that all students will have their required texts by Week 6 of Term I so that they can read them in preparation for text based units of work beginning in Term II.

TIGS P & F Recycled Uniform Service (RUS) The RUS is open Tuesday and Thursday mornings and afternoons 8.30am - 10.00am and 2.00am - 3.45pm. Uniforms are all very reasonably priced and all proceeds go to the School for P & F funded projects.

We are desperately seeking volunteers who can help keep this service running. No experience is necessary, just a willingness to help other TIGS families.

We are also seeking donations of current uniforms to keep the supply going. Senior (Yr 11-12) uniforms are in high demand. If you have any uniforms you no longer require please drop them to either Senior or Junior School receptions for inclusion in the stock.

For information about volunteering or uniforms please call Tania, who volunteers as Coordinator, on 0418 448 814.

The NSW Parents’ Council The NSW Parents’ Council, in conjunction with Santa Sabina College Strathfield, the Association of Independent Schools NSW and the Independent Education Union is holding a second funding forum for parents titled ‘Independent School Parent Funding Facts Forum – Gonski and Beyond’ to be held on Thursday 8 March at 7.00pm hosted at Santa Sabina College.

Parents can find more information and register via the website www.parentscouncil.nsw.edu.au.

TIGS Foundation AGM When: 21 February 2012, 8.00am - 10.00am Where: TIGS Boardroom If you are interested in attending or have any further enquiries, please do not hesitate to contact Allison Collins, Foundation and Publicity Assistant via email on acollins@tigs.nsw.edu.au.

P & F Prayer Group All are welcome to attend the TIGS P&F Prayer group. We meet on Fridays at 8.50am - 10.00am. Please check with reception regarding our location. We pray for and uphold theSchool and our community. Please contact Naomi Spencer, co-ordinator, via naomi@shoal.net.au or on 02 4422 4166 for prayer points or queries.

2012 dates are: 17 February, 16 March, 11 May, 15 June, 10 August, 7 September, 2 November and 30 November.

Original Card Art from Nganambala School Over the last six years, our school has developed a close relationship with Nganambala School (previously known as Emu Point) in the Northern Territory. Each year, a group of Year 11 students travels up to Nganambala to experience Aboriginal culture and to build friendships with the students in this remote community. This year, they are planning to travel here to visit us in October. As part of their fundraising for educational resources to share with the local students during the trip, they are selling greeting cards with beautiful pictures painted by students/staff from their school. These cards are available as a pack of six different designs for $10. Please contact either Ms Fisher (Senior School) or the Finance Department if you would like to purchase some cards.

Library Updates We are excited about the changes afoot in our library. Over the summer holidays the Goodhew Research Centre was gutted and the roof replaced. The workers are now busily creating a whole new interior…

During Term I our library has temporarily relocated to the Begbie Centre and all resources and staff are available to students and staff. We have limited space however the library hours remain the same (Monday – Thursday 8.00am – 5.00pm and Friday 8.00am – 4.00pm) and students are welcome to use the library before and after school.

Visit the library website libguides.tigs.nsw.edu.au to access all online resources and for further information.

Follow us on Facebook facebook.com/tigslibrary and keep up with our activities, the progress of the new library, and for reading recommendations and links.

2012 is the National Year of Reading. To learn more about the exciting events to be held around our nation and helpful reading links and information, visit the National Year of Reading website. www.love2read.org.au Here at TIGS we are planning some wonderful events, activities and author visits to celebrate our new library and the importance and joy of reading during 2012. Stay tuned for details…

If you have any questions or comments about the library and/or resources please don’t hesitate to contact Ms Leanne Windsor, Director of Information Services via email lwindsor@tigs.nsw.edu.au or by phone on 02 4220 0226.

Please spread the word to friends who may not see this item in the newsletter.

Connect with TIGS on the Web TIGS has joined the world of social media and is communicating through Twitter and Facebook.

Please follow us on Twitter: twitter.com/tigswollongong

Please like us on Facebook: facebook.com/illawarragrammar

Senior Sport Sports Scholarships USA Free Online Information Session

Sports Scholarships USA is open to recreational or amateur sports men or women of low, average, and high level ability involved in basketball, tennis, soccer, volleyball or golf. The current abilities of the students are less important than their commitment and potential.

The program allows Australian students between the ages of 16-26 to utilise their sporting skills to gain a university education in the USA often for less than it costs to study in Australia. Australian students are in high demand at American universities. Sports Scholarships USA candidates are guaranteed a minimum of nine scholarship offers.

Our next Online Sports and Study Scholarship information session will be held at 6.30pm on Thursday 15 March. To secure your place, please register online at http://studentplacement.com.au/info-sessions/.

Figtree AFL After School Program

The AFL NSW/ACT is going to be running an After School Auskick program at Figtree Oval for girls and boys aged from 5-12 years old. Participating students will have a chance to meet some Sydney Swans players in the first week of the program which will be a great experience. For more information please see the attached flyer.

Senior Sport Innsbruck 2012 Youth Olympic Games

Jack Millar (Year 12) has returned from the Innsbruck 2012 Youth Olympic Games with boundless enthusiasm for his Skiercross event. He competed in the Skiercross qualifications and qualified and seeded for the quarterfinals. Unfortunately the finals were cancelled due to the conditions and inability to access the resort to clear the roads of snow. Jack has done exceptionally well and demonstrated times for this event which would rank him at a World class event. Well done!

Senior School Sports Uniform

All students are reminded about the correct presentation of the Senior School Sports uniform.

Girls Sport Uniform Boys Sport Uniform Navy TIGS Sports shorts Navy TIGS Sports shorts Navy TIGS Sports top Navy TIGS Sport top TIGS Sports socks TIGS Sport socks TIGS Tracksuit TIGS Tracksuit With regard to Sport Shoes in 2012 all shoes worn for both PD/H/PE and Sport must be cross trainers suitable to wear for all sporting activities. No fluorescent coloured laces or shoes are acceptable. This will support the School’s OHS&S policy and the need for growing feet to be supported and well protected.

Years 9-10 Sports for Term I 2012

Sport is compulsory for all students at TIGS in Years 7-10. In Years 9 and 10 this compulsory sport is conducted before and after school in a variety of activities. It is mandatory that all students in Years 7-10 participate in two hours of weekly sporting activity.

Students therefore must attend compulsory school sports which have been organised. Students may formally be granted an exemption from the above requirement if they can demonstrate their participation in other regular sporting activities.

The full list of activities can be found here. Please contact Mrs Sharpe at school with any questions regarding this program.

Senior School Swimming Carnival

The TIGS Swimming Carnival will be held next Thursday 16 February 2012 at Western Suburbs Pool Unanderra.

Last year saw a great number of students participating and we envisage the same for 2012. We encourage all students to participate in this compulsory school event. If students are injured they can come along, support their House and help with the running of the carnival. Notes for non-participation can be submitted to House Patrons before or on the day. These students can act as helpers. There will be something for everyone.

Students are required to wear their House shirt with school sport shorts to and from the pool. Please remember students must be in correct costumes. This includes TIGS swimmers or navy blue/black speedos for both boys and girls (girls must wear full piece swimmers) and TIGS board shorts (optional).

Students may make their own way to the pool or there will be shuttle buses from TIGS taking students to the pool. We would like all students at the pool by 8.50am. After the completion of the carnival students may be picked up from the venue or catch a TIGS shuttle bus back to school.

Supervision will be available at the pool from 8.15am. A canteen is available, although it is advisable to bring your own food/ drink. To support our School sun safe guidelines students are advised to bring and wear hats and sunscreen.

We are looking forward to a great day and invite parents to come and spectate. In case of inclement weather please listen to 96.5 Wave FM.

TARA Equestrian and All Schools Equestrian Entries

Students interested in entering these events must complete following forms: Tara Equestrian Carnival on 11 March - apply here. Entries close: 2 March 2012 NSW Interschool Championships on 1 - 4 March - apply here. Entries close: 16 February 2012

TIGS Netball Club Teams for 2012

Last year TIGS entered seven teams in the Illawarra District Netball Association Saturday competition. It was an exciting year with over 60 girls from TIGS playing for the School. They had lots of fun and developed many new skills. This year we are looking forward to the continued growth of the club. We invite any girl’s born 2006 and above to come and play for the School.

To learn more please click here.

Want to play Rugby for your local Club?

University of Wollongong Junior Rugby Club Contact Canio Fierravanti 0411 244 491 or Craig Heidrich 0418 885 290. See attached flyer.

Tech Waratahs Junior Rugby Contact Tony Gorgijovski 0413 806 156. See attached flyer.

Vikings Rugby Club Contact Bruce Nugara (Registrar) 0417 505 376 www.wollongongvikings.com.au. See attached flyer.

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